A mix of remote and office work, known as hybrid work, is likely to become a fixture with over 70% of workers surveyed in favour of flexible remote work options, according to the "Work Trend Index" conducted by tech giant Microsoft.
The index surveyed a total of 31,092 employed or self-employed workers in 31 markets, including Thailand, during Jan 12-25.
The study uncovered seven hybrid work trends in the wake of the pandemic.
The first indicates flexible and hybrid workplaces are here to stay in the post-pandemic period with 73% of workers saying they want flexible remote work options to continue.
To prepare for this, 66% of business decision makers are considering redesigning physical spaces to better accommodate hybrid work environments.
The second trend shows many business leaders fared better than their employees in connection with hybrid work.
Some 61% of leaders surveyed said they are "thriving" right now -- 23% higher than those who have no decision-making authority.
The third shows self-assessed productivity remained the same or higher for many employees over the past year, but at a human cost. Some 54% of respondents said they feel overworked and 39% feel exhausted.
Examining collaboration trends in Microsoft 365 software, compared between February 2020 and 2021, the amount of time spent in online meetings using Microsoft Teams has more than doubled globally.
The number of emails delivered in February this year was 40.6 billion more than in the same month last year.
The fourth indicates Gen Z is struggling more than other generations.
Some 60% of this generation -- those between the ages of 18 and 25 -- say they are merely surviving or flat-out struggling right now. This generation is more likely to be single and early in their careers, making them more likely to feel the impacts of isolation and struggle with motivation at work.
The fifth shows workers' shrinking network caused by remote working is jeapardising innovation.
"When you lose connections, you stop innovating. It's harder for new ideas to get in," said Nancy Baym, senior principal researcher at Microsoft.
The sixth demonstrates workers' daily life has become involved with work.
One fifth of the respondents said they have met their colleagues' pets and families virtually as they clung to each other to get through the year.
These interactions with coworkers may help foster a workplace where people feel more comfortable to be themselves, Microsoft indicated.
The last shows remote work widens the talent marketplace. Remote job postings on LinkedIn increased five times during the pandemic.
"The choices you make today will impact your organisation for years to come. It's a moment that requires clear vision and a growth mindset," said Chanikarn Pronanun, deputy managing director for marketing and operations at Microsoft Thailand.